ICC meeting ends without decision on ODI format change and expansion of test championship

The International Cricket Council (ICC) annual meeting concluded without reaching a decision on proposals to reduce One-Day International (ODI) cricket matches to 40 overs or expand the World Test Championship to include 12 teams.

According to cricket reports, the ICC discussed several important matters related to the future structure and administration of international cricket during its annual meeting, but no final agreement was reached on these key proposals.

One of the major topics under consideration was a possible change to the ODI format by reducing matches from the traditional 50 overs per side to 40 overs. However, the ICC meeting ended without any clear decision or official announcement regarding whether such a change would be introduced in future international competitions.

Similarly, the proposal to expand the World Test Championship from its current format to include 12 teams was also not approved during the meeting. The ICC did not provide a final timeline or confirmation about whether additional teams would be added to the prestigious Test competition.

The World Test Championship currently features the top Test-playing nations competing in a league format over a cycle, with the best-performing teams qualifying for the final. Expanding the championship would potentially provide more countries with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of Test cricket.

During the annual meeting, the ICC also decided to continue the suspension of USA Cricket and Cricket Canada. The governing body had previously taken action against both organizations due to concerns related to governance and administrative issues.

According to cricket reports, the suspensions will remain in place as the ICC continues to monitor developments within both cricket boards. No immediate decision was announced regarding when either organization could regain full recognition or have their suspensions lifted.

The meeting also addressed the status of several associate members. According to reports, France Cricket was placed on notice by the ICC, meaning the organization will remain under review regarding its operations and compliance with ICC requirements.

Meanwhile, the Mauritius Cricket Federation was granted associate membership status by the ICC. The addition of Mauritius increased the total number of ICC members to 111, according to cricket sources.

The inclusion of new associate members reflects the ICC’s ongoing efforts to expand cricket globally and encourage participation in countries where the sport is still developing. Associate membership provides countries with greater access to international cricket structures, development programmes, and opportunities to compete in ICC events.

The ICC annual meeting was held in Edinburgh, Scotland, from July 8 to July 11. Representatives from member nations attended discussions covering a wide range of issues related to international cricket, including governance, competition structures, and the global growth of the sport.

Although no major format changes were approved, the discussions highlighted ongoing debates about the future direction of international cricket. Administrators continue to explore ways to make the sport more competitive, commercially sustainable, and accessible to a wider audience.

The possibility of shorter ODI matches and an expanded World Test Championship is expected to remain part of future ICC discussions. However, any changes will require further consultation among member boards before being officially implemented.

For now, the existing formats of international cricket will continue, while the ICC evaluates proposals aimed at balancing tradition, player workload, audience interest, and the long-term growth of the game worldwide.